Why Scale Creates Stability in Property Development

When we started out, small flips and BRRRs gave us the foundations. They taught us the ropes, built our network, and proved we could deliver strong returns. But as the market shifted, costs rose, and margins on smaller refurbs tightened, one thing became clear: real stability comes from scale.

Today, our focus is firmly on barn conversions and multi-unit developments. These projects may look more complex from the outside, but in reality, they offer more routes to success, more protection against risk, and a stronger foundation for both us and our investors.

Here’s why:

1. Multiple Exit Routes Mean Lower Risk

With a single flip, your outcome is binary, you either sell at the expected price or you don’t.

In a multi-unit development, you have options.

• Sell some, retain some: We can sell part of a scheme to generate capital while holding units for long-term income.

  
  

• Target different markets: One site might allow for starter homes, family houses, or even rental stock, depending on demand.

  
  

• Phased delivery: Units can be released in stages, spreading both cashflow and risk.

This flexibility is what makes larger developments more resilient, especially in cautious markets.

2. Better Leverage With Contractors and Suppliers

On a single refurb, you’re often at the mercy of small contractors, fluctuating labour availability, and inconsistent pricing.

On a multi-unit site, the dynamics change.

Larger projects attract higher-calibre contractors who can commit to longer-term partnerships. Bulk orders on materials secure better pricing, and the economies of scale reduce cost per unit.

The result? More predictable build costs, tighter timelines, and fewer surprises, all of which directly protect investor returns.

3. Planning Uplift Adds Value Before the Build Begins

Many of our multi-unit projects are secured on land or barns with planning potential. That means we’re able to add significant value before a single brick is laid.

By navigating the planning process strategically, we can unlock six-figure uplifts on land value, often giving us a strong margin buffer before construction even starts.

This “value creation at the front end” is one of the biggest advantages of scaling into larger schemes.

4. Resilience Against Market Shifts

Property markets move in cycles. Smaller deals can be heavily impacted by short-term swings in demand or interest rates. Larger developments, by contrast, provide stability.

• Diverse unit mix: A development with a blend of 2-beds, 3-beds, and family homes appeals to a wider market.

  
  

• Institutional interest: Larger sites often attract housing associations or institutional buyers, offering bulk exit options.

  
  

• Longer timelines: Bigger projects allow us to plan across cycles, rather than relying on a quick sale in one market moment.

This resilience is a key reason why high-net-worth investors increasingly favour larger schemes.

5. Professional Structures Build Investor Confidence

When we scale, our approach scales too. Every large project is set up in a dedicated limited company, with shared bank accounts, transparent budgets, and live updates. Investors aren’t just providing capital, they’re business partners with clear visibility on every step.

This structured approach is harder to apply to small flips, but on multi-unit projects, it becomes the backbone of how we manage trust and accountability.

Scale = Stability

Moving from barns to multi-units hasn’t just changed the size of our projects, it’s transformed the way we create and protect value.

For investors, scale means stability. It means more exits, better cost control, stronger planning uplift, and clearer structures.

Smaller projects gave us our start. Larger developments are giving us, and our partners, long-term resilience.

👉 If you’d like to explore how PropInvest structures multi-unit developments and barn conversions for both stability and growth, get in touch with the team.